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TONIGHT'S live X Factor verdict is a game-changer and rock solid support is critical in sparing Gympie contestant Caitlyn Shadbolt from elimination.

On the cusp of the Top 6, Caitlyn told The Gympie Times her goal was to reach that milestone.

And then, she said, to "go out on a good note" should she fail to carry further through in the hotly contested competition.

Instead of a bottom two, tonight's show will have three acts called upon to convince judges why they belong on the show for another week.

It was a twist revealed late last week by X Factor producers ahead of Sunday's live show - a show in which contestants performed songs selected by rival judges.

After landing in the bottom last week and scraping through on viewers' votes, Caitlyn admitted she needed a "big performance".

A second twist revealed last week was that all of Sunday's performances were decided upon by rival judges.

Caitlyn was given Paramore song Still into You, chosen by judge Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

It was not in the singer's wheelhouse, and a far cry from the country sound she is so at ease with, but Caitlyn injected the performance with plenty of her trademark enthusiasm and showed her versatility.

The stage was transformed into a carnival wonderland, complete with flashing lights, rides and her own grandstand surrounded by bouncing dancers.

X Factor judge Redfoo

After some honest and stinging feedback from Redfoo last week, which Caitlyn said she "took on the chin" as constructive criticism, the LMFAO singer and star judge sung a different tune Monday night.

"You took a challenge had a good attitude about it and you gave it your all," he said.

"That is important to me. I love your commitment. You can make it big time."

Having set Caitlyn the challenge of the Paramore hit, Bassingthwaighte was equally praising.

"You look gorgeous. I love hearing your voice on that song. I think you can actually sing many genres just as much as country," she said.

Dannii Minogue, however, was less forgiving, feeling Caitlyn "tightened up" on stage and struggled with her high notes.

The live verdict goes to air tonight from 7.30pm on Channel 7 owing to the station's coverage of the Brownlow Medal last night.